Exercise caution about unseaworthy vessels: A V Ramana
New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) President A V Ramana has advised the Indian Coast Guard and the agents of cargo ships to exercise caution about unseaworthy vessels which seek help during emergencies in Indian or international maritime boundaries. He was speaking at a workshop on maritime emergencies, organized by NMPA at a private hotel in Mangaluru on Monday.
“Unseaworthy commercial vessels, without any fitness certificate, operated in the seas throughout the year. But when they face any trouble during inclement weather or cyclones they send emergency alert signals through local agents requesting entry to Indian ports. Our ports and government will be in trouble because of this. Many such ships sink in the middle of the sea during their journey. Our ports will face pollution, along with other problems, in these situations”, A V Ramana said.
He explained how other ships calling at the port will face problems when such unfit vessels sink in the middle of sea. Alleging that such unseaworthy ships get fitness certificates from those countries which have lenient laws, A V Ramana stated that they benefit from the loopholes in Indian legal system. “So when such vessels seek assistance during emergencies, ensure that they possess international insurance”, he added.
A V Ramana stated that “Directorate General of Shipping grants fitness certificates to commercial vessels in India. But all vessels need not get the certificate from the DG itself. The ships may get fitness certificate from countries with more lenient laws. Those who wish to make quick and illegal money get the fitness certificate from foreign countries”.
The NMPA president said that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) had been brought out to assist ships in emergencies, which was also brought to the notice of Directorate General of Shipping, Additional Secretary for Shipping and District Disaster Management Authority. “This SOP will help avoid confusions and reduce pollution. It will also help us to stop unseaworthy vessels”, he said.
Assistant Conservator of Mormugao Port Authority Captain Manoj Joshi, Environmental Advisor to the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways Dr R D Tripathi were the main speakers in the workshop.
Dakshina Kannada DC Mullai Muhilan, who inaugurated the event, said that development of port would complement local development. “Mangalore is a port city. All issues related to port connectivity will be resolved once the work on NH 75, which connects the city to the state capital, is completed. NMPA has come forward to partner with the work of a truck terminal in Mangaluru”, he added.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
